My next project? 1921 Packard Coupe

4 minute(s) of a 548 minute read

With something of a lull in proceedings I decided that it was an opportune time to look at the steering box. All I had in the way of information was the photocopied "Information" book that David McCredie had very kindly sent me. Apart from a small cross section illustration it devotes slightly less than a quarter of a page to the steering box. 

While I have certainly overhauled many steering boxes in the past I had never even looked at a Packard one before. Being an early twenties car mine has the worm and split nut variety, something I had not encountered before. For those who have not delved into one of these boxes, all I can say is that they are full of tricks.

The worm which is attached to the bottom of the steering column has both Left and Right hand threads, superimposed one over the other. One half of the split nut has left hand thread while the other half is right hand thread, the nut being split vertically. As the steering wheel is turned one half of the nut rises while the other half falls. these two halves are attached to the rocker mechanism in the bottom half of the box. This acts to rotate the cross shaft which in turn moves the drop arm backwards and forwards moving the drag link and hence turning the front wheels. As I am sure all this is as clear as nut I have attached the diagram shown in the Information book. The main adjustment is carried out by screwing in or out the large threaded section on the bottom of the outer steering column. some further adjustment can be made by shims under the side plate carrying the outer bush for the cross shaft. By trial and error I have now re-assembled the box and have virtually no play at the steering wheel rim.

I am unsure, not having the opportunity to check but I believe the steering box was changed for the next series (II) Single Six 

I trust that this has given all those with an enquiring mind something to think about. With all the internals of the box laid out on the bench, it certainly did for me...

I just cannot wait to get into setting up the lovely little bevel gears that the "Gas & Spark" levers in the centre of the steering wheel operate but first I have to replace a damaged section of one of the inner tubes. Otherwise referred to as the steering post, spark and throttle sector, anchor tube..

In case you are wondering. I once had a full head of hair, before I started to restore old motor cars.

On the other end of the steering column. The steering wheel is cleaning up nicely. When we first bought the Packard the wood rim was falling apart with the glue completely dried out and the dovetailed segments coming adrift. The aluminium spokes badly weathered. These still require some final polishing. The rim is completely the original wood despite 40 plus years of total neglect. One segment had come away completely and was fortunately found amongst all the debris on what had been the floor

Hi Chris

I still have quite a bit of polishing to do so the steering wheel along with the quadrant and "gas & spark" levers will be included. To answer your question No my chassis just has individual grease points rather than the auto lubrication system. I don't know if any Series 1 cars were fitted with this. Perhaps one of the other Series 1 Single Six owners can enlighten us.

Hello West

I could only find the one "before" photograph of the steering wheel. Cropped out of a larger pic. This shows the location of the"missing piece of wood".